The monster in me

The boys went to buy food while we stayed behind just sitting on the beach and watch the pro surfers who came out to play. "Boys must really find you hard to resist." Ruby said from next to me. I shook my head before I answered. "I doubt it. I think I scared them off." I replied. "That's hard to believe." She muttered.

"Every person has his/her type. Not all the boys like what I am and who I am. Some also shared their thoughts and then there were some who accepted me." I told her. "Shared their thoughts? Like pick on you?" She sounded surprised. I even noticed how Janelle was looking at me.

"Yeah. Once you decide to be different people see you as a freak or some weirdo." I admitted. "I never really thought of it that way." Ruby said. "I just always thought it has to do with the fact that I'm an easy target." I just shook my head. "How did you get them to stop?" Ruby asked. "You don't. Their minds are so small that they don't care what they say and that they hurt you. All they care about it is themselves." Ruby looked at the ocean and sighs.

"You shouldn't believe that just being bullied that nobody likes you. There are a few people who see this side of you and accept you. And those people are the ones you care about." I said. "I don't think that's true." She disagreed. "Yeah? Then why do you think Travis always stood up for you? Because he wanted to get in your pants? No. Because he actually cares and hates bullies." A small smile formed on Ruby's lips.

"Zack, who obviously has a thing for you." Her face flushed making me snicker. "You gotta always look on the bright side. The bully's only objective is: is to make you hate yourself and believe in their words. But the moment you stop listening to them is the moment you break free."

"You know all this crap you feeding her mind is not true." Janelle said. "They don't care who you are and if you chose to ignore them. They will always prey on you. Make your life hell and make sure you know that they are always in charge." Ruby looked at Janelle in utter disgust. "You want to make an excuse for all that time you picked on me?" Ruby asked surprising me.

"You what?" I asked looking at Janelle. She looked away and licked her lips. "I never picked on you." Janelle said looking back at us. "Yes, you did!!" Ruby yelled pushing herself up. "You were the one who took those photos of me!" I just sat there paralyzed while Ruby continued. "You did it so you could get on the squad and on Isabella's good side!" With every word, I heard the emotion in Ruby's voice.

"She did what?" That was Travis. I looked up and found him standing next to Zack. Janelle turned around in surprise when she found him standing behind her. "That was you? You posted that photo of Ruby?" Travis asked trying to contain his anger. "Why would you do that?" Travis asked.

"To get Damian back!!" She yelled. "By picking on an innocent girl who has done nothing to you?" Travis asked showing his anger for the first time. "As if you were ever a friend to me. You bailed on me the moment Damian was out of your life." Janelle sneered at Travis. "Don't start with that bullshit. Who was the one who kept bailing you out of bars? Lied for you? And held his door open whenever you needed a shoulder to cry on?" Travis asked.

"And then you went out there and almost destroyed a girl's life because of your jealousy!' His voice rose with every word. "Travis." Zack said calmly by placing a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. "I didn't mean to hurt her." Janelle confessed. "But you did!" That was Ruby. "Do you know what it feels like to be laughed at by everyone? And get teased that I look like a corpse!" By now tears were rolling down her cheeks. "They made fun of me for months and it is all because of you. You are sick!" Ruby yelled pushing Janelle back with her hands.

"Ruby." I said calmly pulling her away. "Don't you dare stand up for her." Ruby cried. "I won't. But I need you to calm down and go." I said motioning for Zack to take her away which he obeyed. I looked at Janelle and Travis.

"This is not the place, guys." I said trying them to stop. "Would you just stop always interfering! I'm so sick of you." Janelle said. She wanted a reaction but I took a step back. I'm not a girl who lifts her hands and makes a scene. Nor am I a girl who brings people down with words out of anger.

"Why would you do something that sick?" Travis asked her calmly. "To go as far as destroying a girl's life. I don't know you like this." Travis said taking a step back. "Because you gave up on me." She said. "I never did!!" Travis yelled. "Hell, I was there when Damian dumped your ass. I was even there when Isabella threatened you. You walked out on me!" Travis continued.

"You became this sick person all on your own just for some guy." Travis said. "You are nothing better than Isabella." He said with so much in his voice. "She took Damian from me. I'm nothing like her." Janelle replied. "She took my best friend! Do you see me pick on people to get him back? You are a psychopath, Janelle." Travis said. "I'm not! Take that back!" She yelled attacking him.

"Look at what you did and tell me that there is nothing wrong with you." Travis said pushing her away from him. "Maybe Damian would have taken you back if you were still the girl he remembered." Travis turned and walked away. I watched as Janelle broke down and cried.

I just stood there not knowing what just happened. I suddenly missed home and my girls. Camille's reaction to drama and Sasha's strength even when everything was falling apart.

I'm not a girl who judges you no matter what you did. I'm not going to start. I walked up to Janelle and placed my hand on her back. She needed a friend, someone she can talk to. I have seen what happens when you have no one. You look for your own answers and end up messing up your life. "What? Are you here to make me feel even worst about myself?" She asked.

"No. I'm here because you need me." I said. "Oh, please." She turned away from me. "Look at yourself, Janelle. You thought you've lost everyone and turned into this monster. You don't know the first meaning of losing someone and never getting a second chance to get them back. You got a chance to pick yourself up and change." I said.

"I think it's too late." She murmured. "You are still here, aren't you? The sun is still shining." She looked at me, eyes unblinking. "Let's get you a drink because after all that I need one." I said motioning for her to follow me.